Feds declare fishery disaster in New York and New Jersey

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank has declared a fishery disaster for New Jersey and New York.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank has declared a fishery disaster for New Jersey and New York.

"We are taking action because of the storm's devastating impact on the people who live and work in coastal communities that were hit hard by Sandy," Blank said. "Many of these hard-working Americans depend on a robust fishing industry to support their families and local economies."

As with a similar determination made for New England groundfishermen in September, the disaster declaration opens the door for Congress to appropriate money for financial relief.